Daniel Boone's Great Escape [Hardcover]

Michael P. Spradlin (Author), Ard Hoyt (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

While out hunting buffalo one day, the great Wild West explorer Daniel Boone was captured by powerful Shawnee warriors. Enraged by the settlers’ murder of one of their own, the Shawnee chief decided to take Boone hostage as revenge. Even though he was eventually adopted by the Shawnee and grew accustomed to their way of life, Boone was constantly concerned about the safety of his family and friends. So when he heard that the Shawnee were preparing to attack the settlers in an attempt to regain their land, Boone decided to escape. Over four long days, he navigated the cruel landscape—crossing wide rivers, hiding in tall grass or trees, covering his footsteps at every turn, and never looking back but all the while knowing that the angry warriors were in hot pursuit.

This little-known episode from the life of one of our most famous Western heroes provides a balanced look at a difficult time in our history, while presenting a stunning act of courage that will keep young readers on the edge of their seats.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 2–4—This remarkable story was created from a single line reference in Boone's autobiography. He was in fact captured by Shawnee warriors and brokered a deal where he would remain with them and work to convince settlers to give up without a fight. When he learned of their plans to attack his family's settlement in Kentucky, he could not sit idly by. He escaped in an effort to get word to the settlers of the tribe's plan. Boone's journey back home was the stuff of derring-do as he eluded the Indians who were tracking him. Pushing himself beyond human capacity, he ran for more than four days and a total of 160 miles. For young readers interested in history and those who are drawn to adventure, this true story is a compelling one. The illustrations, however, at times seem a poor fit for the text, depicting Boone in an almost comic fashion. Nevertheless, this well-documented vignette from the frontiersman's life will find a place in most collections.—Joan Kindig, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA
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From Booklist

Spradlin presents an episode from the life of pioneer Daniel Boone that’s long on excitement, but short on sourcing. On a snowy day in 1778 that “would change his life forever,”  Boone is hunting when he is spotted by Shawnee warriors. The Shawnee, furious over deaths and broken treaties, take Boone captive; then they allow him to bring men from his fort to live with the Indians as a sign of good faith. The description of this episode is confusing: how did Boone get his men to agree? And when Boone later escapes, he apparently leaves his men behind. Moreover, the epilogue states that this escape is “reduced to one brief sentence in Boone’s autobiography.” Though the epilogue speaks authoritatively, there are no source notes, or even a bibliography—a disservice to children—which will leave adult readers wondering about authenticity. That’s too bad, because the pictures—created with watercolor, colored pencil, and ink, and with lots of crosshatching—practically jump off  the two-page spreads. No doubt kids will be caught up in the adventure, but how much is truth, and how much fiction? Grades K-2. --Ilene Cooper

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens; 1st edition (July 22, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802795811
• ISBN-13: 978-0802795816
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,331,317 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children, some of which have actually been published. He grew up in a small town in Michigan not far from the Indiana border, which may explain his irrational fear of Hoosiers. (Both the inhabitants of the state of Indiana and the movie starring Gene Hackman).

Surrounded by books in his formative years, he grew up loving to read, imagining himself the hero of numerous epic battles and indulging in his favorite pastime, which was smuggling fireworks across the Ohio border so that he could blow up his collection of Plastic Green Army Men and Matchbox Cars.

Michael is the author The Youngest Templar trilogy, The Spy Goddess series, and several picture books including the award winning Daniel Boone's Great Escape.

When not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family and worrying over the fact that he really should be writing instead of doing other stuff. He lives in Michigan with his wife Kelly, son Michael, daughter Rachel and two dogs Willow and Apollo

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Kids @ Teens Read Too, September 25, 2008

By 

TeensReadToo "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Daniel Boone's Great Escape (Hardcover)

DANIEL BOONE'S GREAT ESCAPE is the little known story of Boone's escape from the Shawnee Indians. Author Michael P. Spradlin explains that the incident is only mentioned in one sentence of Boone's autobiography, but Spradlin recreates the adventure in this well-illustrated children's book.

Taken prisoner as part of a plan to spare his people from an attack by the Shawnee, Boone spent time living with the Indians. In the story, he describes his time in their village as "calm and peaceful," but at the same time, he knew he needed to warn his family and fellow settlers that an attack was still to come.

While he spent his time hunting alongside the Indian warriors and making friends in the village, he was plotting his escape. He hid gunpowder in his pockets, and as he helped repair the Indians' guns, he stashed various gun parts throughout the woods. When the time was right, he escaped, and with the gunpowder and a makeshift weapon, was able to make the four day, 160-mile run from Ohio into Kentucky to warn his family.

Illustrator Ard Hoyt helps bring Boone's great escape to life for the knowledge and enjoyment of today's young readers. This picture book would make an excellent addition to any library or personal book collection.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

5.0 out of 5 stars Great childrens book! Beautiful illustrations!, June 29, 2009

By 

MysteryBox - See all my reviews

This review is from: Daniel Boone's Great Escape (Hardcover)

My 8 year old cousin loves this book! Spradlin really knows how to reach out to and engage children with his writing. He stays true to the historical nature of Danial Boone, while keeping it entertaining. Great way to teach children about history. The images are truly beautiful too, and I hope the author and illustrator pair up again.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another winner!, June 29, 2009

By 

Chet C. Kapusinski (Mason, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Daniel Boone's Great Escape (Hardcover)

Another winner for Michael Spradlin. He seems to have a magic touch with kids books. My 5 and 8 yr old grandkids enjoy his books as well my 13 yr old niece. His books are always on my list for Christmas and Birthday presents. Keep up the good work Mr Spradlin.